HANAPEPE — Even without its Head Coach Michael Rita on hand, it was business as usual for the Waimea High School Menehune Wednesday evening at Hanapepe Stadium. Menehune ace B.J. Freitas was on his game again and stifled a Kaua‘i
HANAPEPE — Even without its Head Coach Michael Rita on hand, it was business as usual for the Waimea High School Menehune Wednesday evening at Hanapepe Stadium.
Menehune ace B.J. Freitas was on his game again and stifled a Kaua‘i High School offense to the tune of seven innings, no runs, three strikeouts and no walks.
Freitas was dominant as he and the Menehune cruised their way to a 3-0 win over the Red Raiders.
“At this point right now our pitching is keeping us in these games,” said Coach Larry Ephan. “Our defense is next, and offense last. We just have to go back to work and get ready for the second half.”
Offensively, Waimea wasn’t stellar finishing with only three hits and leaving 10 runners on base. It was a Mikah Wisneski home run in the bottom of the second inning to deep left field, which got the Menehune on the board.
Wisneski got a pitch about belt high on the inside half of the plate from pitcher Nick Vallatini and was able to turn on it and drive the ball to left for the four-bagger.
Wisneski finished 1 for 1 with two walks and two RBIs.
After the home run Waimea’s offense remained relatively quiet. It wasn’t until a pair of bases loaded walks would net the Menehune its last two runs.
So far this season Kaua‘i’s Achilles’ heel has been its offense and Wednesday was no exception. The trio of Vallatini, Cal Koga and Shane Ogata, while erratic at moments, pitched well enough for the majority of the game and combined for seven innings, three runs and gave up just three hits.
“The biggest focus we have to look at right now is how to get runners on base,” said Head Coach Ryden Domingsel. “I think we had two hits again, and anytime you put a zero on the scoreboard, it’s not enough runs to win a ball game.”
The Red Raiders are indeed struggling at the plate, with its roster hitting a combined .200 on the season and they have driven in just four runs while striking out 21 times in 105 at bats.
Kaua‘i now drops to 0-4 on the season and prepares to play Kapa‘a High School Saturday in a doubleheader at Vidinha Stadium in Lihu‘e.
Waimea remains undefeated at 5-0 and has wrapped up the first half of the season.
“As a coaching staff, we know we have a lot more to work on,” Ephan said. “We need to execute more on the offensive side. One good thing that has come from that is our boys have found a way to win.”
The Menehune will have a week to prepare for the Kapa‘a Warriors on Wednesday at Ron Martin Field in Kapa‘a.
